Salt water gargle effectiveness for sore throat
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Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat Relief: Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes
Salt Water Gargle Effectiveness for Non-Bacterial Sore Throat
Research shows that gargling with a salt solution (sodium chloride) can significantly reduce pain and other symptoms of sore throat in patients with non-bacterial pharyngitis. In a randomized clinical trial, patients who used a 3% salt solution reported notable improvements in pain, swallowing difficulty, and throat swelling compared to those using a thymol solution, with all differences being statistically significant. The study concluded that salt water gargling is a natural and safe method to relieve sore throat symptoms in these cases .
Warm Saline Gargle for Post-Procedure Sore Throat
Several studies have examined the use of warm saline (salt water) gargles for sore throat relief after medical procedures such as endoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Patients who gargled with warm saline after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy experienced a significant reduction in sore throat and mouth dryness compared to those who did not, with improvements observed both 24 hours and two weeks after the procedure . Similarly, in patients who had undergone open heart surgery and were extubated, warm saline gargling led to a significant decrease in sore throat pain 12, 18, and 24 hours after the intervention, compared to a control group . Another study found that patients who used warm saline gargles after extubation had a much greater reduction in pain and hoarseness of voice than those who did not, supporting the effectiveness of this simple intervention .
Salt Water Gargle and Viral Infections
While salt water gargling is effective for symptom relief in sore throat, evidence does not support its use for reducing viral load in infections such as COVID-19. Laboratory testing found that salt water was not effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, unlike some antiseptic mouthwash formulations .
Comparison with Other Gargle Solutions
Some studies have compared salt water gargling to other solutions. For example, sodium azulene sulfonate gargle was found to be more effective than plain water in reducing postoperative sore throat after intubation, suggesting that while salt water is helpful, other specialized solutions may offer additional benefits in certain clinical settings .
Conclusion
Salt water gargling is a safe, simple, and effective method for reducing sore throat symptoms, especially in cases of non-bacterial pharyngitis and after medical procedures like endoscopy or intubation 1246. However, it does not have proven antiviral effects against viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 . For general sore throat relief, especially when caused by irritation or minor infection, salt water gargling remains a recommended and accessible home remedy.
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